I seen on NBC-2 a story about the BP claims process and how frustrating it can be.  They were focusing on a T-shirt factory type company being down 50% from last year, and they filed their claim 3 weeks ago.  Seeing that made me decide to post my story on LAL.


I too filed a claim, when I seen my monthly totals dropping like a rock through water starting in May.  I fear it hasn't hit bottom yet either. I calculated my P&L for July and am down well over 50% compared to '09, '08 and '07.  I opened in 2007 and each July it shows an increase in sales, expense, profit etc...,  that is up until we get to July 2010 and it is down almost 57% over the FIRST year!!  I seen that and almost cried.  We calculated '09 with 2010 and are down like 67%  :-( 

With that being said, I feel for the company NBC-2 was reporting on, but I feel the 3 weeks they are talking about is just the beginning for them.  I submitted my claim on June 5th, sent EVERYTHING they ask for, and then some, and still NOTHING!!!!!  It took almost a month to get enough paperwork to them for my claim to move onto the adjusters desk, so the 3 weeks seems to be within the norm.  I also made note, that when you fax then the documents they ask for, it will take them anywhere from 3-5 days to receive those documents, and I believe that is what is causing at least part of the delay in processing these claims.

  Also the way I understand it is your claim will not even be seen by an adjuster until ALL paperwork for '08-2010 is sent, and when I say all I mean ALL.  Everything you might have.  I even asked if I qualify for an Advanced Payment and my adjuster says not until he gets approval from his supervisor. SO the adjusters do not even have the power to say yes or no, their supervisors apparently do.  I am also being told there are like 3 different levels your claim needs to be approved at, and that too is causing a delay in processing the claims.  I think I have been approved 2 out of the 3, and am waiting on the 3rd approval now.

I believe I am nearing the end of the claims process and I am either going to be getting some sort of payment within a week or 2 from BP or they tell me I am owed nothing and they close my claim.  They haven't asked for any more paperwork in over a week now, so I hope they are now reviewing it to make a decision on my claim.

If it gets much worse I will be forced to close my doors, bills are already starting to get backed up a little.  I have let my BP adjuster know this also, so let's see if that speeds it up a little. 
 I have not seen nowhere near the amount of German and UK tourists I am used to seeing this time of year.  Normally I see at least a dozen daily during June-Sept.  Right now I am lucky if One German or UK tourist comes through my doors.  I also hear it from the German speaking Charter Guides.  They are real real slow right now.

Ok I feel a little better now.  (Steps down off the soap box)

Well I just got a call from BP with some good news, and some even worse news :-(

I was told by the adjuster who handled my claim that he and his supervisor HAS approved my claim for a payment to cover my losses to date, BUT BP's QC (Quality Control) has deferred payment with the reason being listed as" The location is too far from the affected area" until at least August 23rd. BP does not consider the entire Gulf Coast effected?????? Really?????

The adjuster tells me the date that the Federal Government is set to take over the claims process is August 23rd. He tells me he is upset that he and his supervisor HAS approved my claim, and even came up with figures for the amount to be paid, only to be deferred by BP. He went as far as saying that he feels no-one at BP wants to make decisions any longer and are simply waiting for the Federal Government to take over. I asked him what happened to BP's statements about "be there until the end" and "Pay every legitimate claim" He tells me BP has NOT denied my claim, they have deferred payment of it until a later date, after August 23rd!! If the adjusters feel I am owed that money, and BP is supposed to pay, by their own remarks in the media and on their own website, then they should pay it!!! I am in need of operating funds NOW!!.

He even went as far as taking my claim to a Emergency claims unit and he said they told him the same thing, I have to hang on until after August 23rd, and then even maybe a few days after that. He even told me he is not sure that he will even have his job there when the transition occurs.

So much for BP being there for the long haul :-(

Posted By KandL on 11 Aug 2010 11:41 AM
I'm sorry snooker. That is ridiculous. Sounds like they are making excuses to not pay.
I still can't believe they didn't have a back up plan.

TY Kandl.

I am not looking for pity at all, just a place to vent my frustrations.

I trust what the adjuster is telling me, seeing that they are only contracted by BP, not on the payroll of BP.  Plus I could hear his own frustration in his voice as well.  He said he has to call alot of LEE County business's today and let them know what is going on, that their payment is being "deferred with the reason Location is too far away from the affected area"  ..  I told him I feel sorry for him today because I was just the beginning for him, and I gave him an earful to give to BP for me.  He will have to hear it from alot of upset business owners for the rest of the day.

This is honestly a scenario I was not expecting. I figured it would be either approved or denied, not approved but payment deferred.

I haven't read the entire article yet, but this article sounds like the boat I am in.  If this is the case, at least there may be a light at the end of this tunnel that is starting to go dark.

Link

Just thought I would post an update. Thanks to BP for funding the $20 Billion fund, and thanks to G.C.C.F. for reviewing my claim and deciding it eligible for payout from the fund. I have received a 6 month Emergency payment to keep my business operating, (It actually got me caught up with all my bills and ahead a little) with a Final payment offer to follow within the next couple months or so. It does take a while, but they are working with business's as long as the business sends them all documentation they request.


Not no mention that alot of stress has been lifted off my shoulders for the time being.

welcome back snookerman!

It's great to hear that snookerman!